Luton Shelton

Luton George Kieshawn Shelton (11 November 1985 – 22 January 2021) was a Jamaican professional footballer who played as a striker or winger.[5][6] At the time of his death, he was the top scorer for the Jamaican national football team with 35 goals. He is also the only men's football player to score four goals in his international debut (2004). He earned 75 caps for Jamaica, and played at three CONCACAF Gold Cups.

Luton Shelton
Shelton playing for Karabükspor in 2012
Personal information
Full name Luton George Kieshawn Shelton[1]
Date of birth (1985-11-11)11 November 1985[2]
Place of birth Kingston,[3] Jamaica
Date of death 22 January 2021(2021-01-22) (aged 35)
Height 1.81 m (5 ft 11 in)[4]
Position(s) Winger, striker
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2003–2006 Harbour View 43 (44)
2006–2007 Helsingborgs IF 19 (9)
2007–2008 Sheffield United 19 (1)
2008–2011 Vålerenga 58 (17)
2009–2010 → AaB (loan) 11 (1)
2011–2013 Karabükspor 47 (10)
2013–2015 Volga Nizhny Novgorod 23 (2)
2017–2018 Harbour View 1 (1)
Total 221 (85)
National team
2004–2013 Jamaica 75 (35)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Shelton attended Wolmer's Schools[7] and began his career in the youth system of Harbour View. In his international club career, he was part of championship sides in the 2006 Svenska Cupen and the 2008 Norwegian Cup. He also played in the UK, Denmark, Turkey, and Russia.

Club career

Harbour View

Shelton started his career in the Harbour View youth system before becoming a first regular by the age of 18. While at Harbour View he won the CFU Club Championship and the National Premier League. He was also recognised as youth player of the year during his tenure.[8]

Helsingborg

In August 2005 Shelton was due to move to Football League Championship club Burnley after a successful pre-season trial. They attempted to sign Shelton, but a work permit was rejected, and in August 2006 he joined Helsingborg[9] for about £100,000. During the 2006 season, he scored nine goals in 19 games in the Swedish Allsvenskan,[10] despite playing only irregularly due to repeated injuries. He scored a total of 17 goals in 28 competitive matches, including five goals in four Swedish Cup matches on the way to Helsingborg's victory in the competition. His 120th-minute equaliser against to-be league champions Elfsborg in the quarter-final, which Helsingborg won 5–3 after a penalty shootout (4–4 after extra time), and the 1–0 goal in the final against Gefle, were two of his highlights at the club.[11]

Sheffield United

Despite being signed amidst much fanfare, Shelton did not make his full début until April 2007 in a 2–0 loss to Manchester United at Old Trafford.[12][13] He made only three more appearances for the Blades in the Premiership that season as they unsuccessfully battled to avoid relegation.[14]

With the arrival of James Beattie and Billy Sharp at Bramall Lane during the close season he found games no more easy to come by under new manager Bryan Robson. Initially limited to cup appearances, he scored his first competitive goals for the club, netting twice in a 5–0 League Cup win over Morecambe in September 2007.[15]

As the team struggled he began to see more first team action, but was unable to turn appearances into goals, scoring only twice more that season, against Manchester City in the FA Cup[16] and Colchester in the league.[17] With the arrival of new manager Kevin Blackwell Shelton was sidelined once more.[18]

Vålerenga

On 24 July 2008, it was announced that Shelton had been sold to Norwegian side Vålerenga, playing in the Tippeligaen, for around £1m[19] (10m kr).[20] His contract was to last to the end of the 2011 season.[21] Shelton made his debut on 2 August, scoring his side's lone goal in a 1–1 game at home against Fredrikstad FK.[22] He was considered an attacking player with a speed advantage: he was the fastest player to run a 40m sprint in the Tippeligaen.[23] He played in the 2008 Norwegian Cup, and was one of their top scorers in the 2010 Tippeligaen season with 12 goals.[24]

Shelton spent the 2009-2010 season on loan to the Danish side Aalborg BK, playing 11 games.[25] He was part of their squad for the 2008–09 UEFA Cup.[26]

Karabükspor and Volga Nizhny Novgorod

On 4 August 2011, Shelton was transferred to Karabükspor.[27] He played for two years, and chose to retain his jersey number 78 when he moved.[28]

In 2013, Shelton moved to FC Volga Nizhny Novgorod in Russia.[6] The club suffered from financial issues during this period, and frequently missed payments to the players.[29]

Harbour View return

In April 2015, Shelton went on trial with MLS side Colorado Rapids.[30] Shelton returned to Harbour View at the beginning of 2017, after being out of the game for two years with injury, scoring in his first match on his return.[31] This match was his last before retirement.[32]

International career

Shelton was capped at the U-17, U-20, U-23 and national levels for Jamaica. He scored his 25th goal for Jamaica vs Guadeloupe. He is the only man to score four goals on his international début.[32] In June 2008 he scored five goals in two 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying games for Jamaica against the Bahamas. Later the same month, he scored two goals as Jamaica won 7–0 and scored a hat-trick as Jamaica won 6–0.[33] Shelton was also the top goal scorer in 2010 CONCACAF World Cup qualification matches with seven goals. On 31 January 2010, Shelton scored in a friendly match against Canada to equal Paul Young as Jamaica's all-time leading goalscorer with 28 goals. On 27 November 2010, Shelton became Jamaica's all-time leader scorer with 30 goals after scoring two goals versus Antigua. Jamaica shocked United States 2–1 on to seize the lead in their group in the semi-final round of 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying in the CONCACAF Zone. Goals from Rodolph Austin and Luton Shelton overcame Clint Dempsey's first-minute strike for the Americans as Jamaica posted their first victory over the US in 19 matches.[34][32]

International goals

Source:[35]

No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competitions
1 24 November 2004 Independence Park, Kingston  Saint Martin 4–0 12–0 2005 Caribbean Cup qualifier
2 8–0
3 9–0
4 10–0
5 26 November 2004 Jarrett Park, Montego Bay  U.S. Virgin Islands 1–0 11–0
6 28 November 2004 Independence Park, Kingston  Haiti 3–0 3–1
7 8 January 2005  French Guiana 3–0 5–0
8 20 February 2005 Barbados National Stadium, Waterford  Trinidad and Tobago 1–0 2–1 2005 Caribbean Cup
9 24 February 2005  Cuba 1–0 1–0
10 20 April 2005 Herndon Stadium, Atlanta  Guatemala 1–0 1–0 Friendly
11 7 July 2005 The Home Depot Center, Carson 1–0 4–3 2005 CONCACAF Gold Cup
12 1 October 2005 Lockhart Stadium, Fort Lauderdale 1–0 2–1 Friendly
13 8 October 2006 Independence Park, Kingston  Canada 1–1 2–1
14 26 March 2007  Panama 1–1 1–1
15 7 June 2008 Marvin Lee Stadium, Macoya  Trinidad and Tobago 1–1 1–1
16 15 June 2008 Independence Park, Kingston  Bahamas 4–0 7–0 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifier
17 5–0
18 18 June 2008 Greenfield Stadium, Trelawny 2–0 6–0
19 3–0
20 5–0
21 15 October 2008 Independence Park, Kingston  Honduras 1–0 1–0
22 18 October 2008  Canada 1–0 3–0
23 3 December 2008  Barbados 2–1 2–1 2008 Caribbean Championship
24 5 December 2008 Jarrett Park, Montego Bay  Grenada 2–0 4–0
25 11 December 2008 Independence Park, Kingston  Guadeloupe 2–0 2–0
26 14 December 2008  Grenada 1–0 2–0
27 2–0
28 31 January 2010  Canada 1–0 1–0 Friendly
29 27 November 2010 Stade En Camée, Rivière-Pilote  Antigua and Barbuda 2–0 3–1 2010 Caribbean Championship
30 3–0
31 6 June 2011 The Home Depot Center, Carson  Grenada 1–0 4–0 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup
32 15 August 2012 Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium, Washington, D.C.  El Salvador 1–0 2–0 Friendly
33 2–0
34 7 September 2012 Independence Park, Kingston  United States 2–1 2–1 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier
35 12 October 2012 Estadio Mateo Flores, Guatemala City  Guatemala 1–1 1–2

Personal life

Shelton had three children with his wife Bobbette.[36][37]

In 2018, it was announced that Shelton had ALS.[38] He died from complications of the disease on 22 January 2021, aged 35.[39][40]

Honours

Club

International

Jamaica

References
  1. "Luton George Kieshawn Shelton" (in Norwegian). Norwegian Football Federation. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  2. "Luton Shelton". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  3. "Luton Shelton: Profile". worldfootball.net. HEIM:SPIEL. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  4. "Luton Shelton: Overview". Premier League. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  5. "Luton Shelton: Former Sheffield United and Jamaica striker dies aged 35". BBC Sport. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  6. "Luton Shelton, one of Jamaica's most prolific goalscorers, is dead". Loop Sports. 22 January 2021. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  7. "Grange 'very sad' at Luton Shelton's passing". Jamaica Observer. 22 January 2021. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  8. "'Our hearts cry out for Luton' – JPL club Harbour View, where striker got start, has 'fond memories' of former player". SportsMax. 23 January 2021. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  9. "Shelton rates instinctive free-kick his best". Jamaica Observer. 9 September 2020. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  10. "Former Helsingborg player Luton Shelton is dead". Newsbeezer. 22 January 2021. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  11. "Helsingborg wins Swedish Cup". Taiwan News. 11 December 2006. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
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  14. "RIP LUTON SHELTON 1985-2021". Sheffield Utd FC. Retrieved 24 January 2021.
  15. "Sheff Utd 5–0 Morecambe". BBC Sport. 25 September 2007. Retrieved 30 November 2007.
  16. "Sheff Utd 2–1 Man City". BBC. 27 January 2008. Retrieved 12 November 2009.
  17. "Colchester 2–2 Sheff Utd". BBC Sport. 2 February 2008. Retrieved 12 November 2009.
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  19. "Shelton Departs". Sheffield United F.C. Sheffield United Football Club. Archived from the original on 26 February 2009. Retrieved 24 July 2008.
  20. "Shelton koster ti mill" (2008-07-24). Archived from originalen 27 May 2012.
  21. Sæteren, Thomas Brekke (24 July 2008). "Luton Shelton (22) klar for Vålerenga". Vålerenga Fotball (in Norwegian). Archived from the original on 24 July 2008.
  22. Strande, Alexander Carlsen (2 August 2008). "Shelton ble helten". Aftenposten (in Norwegian). Archived from the original on 5 August 2008.
  23. "Shelton raskest i eliteserien" (in Norwegian). NRK. 6 January 2009. Archived from the original on 3 July 2013. Retrieved 3 August 2009.
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  29. "Шелтон: "В "Волге" тяжелая финансовая ситуация"" [Shelton: "Volga is in a difficult financial situation"]. Footballhd.ru (in Russian). Retrieved 28 January 2021.
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